President Biden Nominates Former FDA Commissioner as Head of FDA

President Joe Biden recently nominated Robert Califf as head of FDA, according to multiple news sources.

Califf previously served as FDA commissioner at the end of the Obama administration from 2016 to 2017. And currently, he is a professor at the Duke University School of Medicine and head of clinical policy at Verily Life Sciences.

During his time as FDA commissioner, Califf won confirmation by an 89-4 margin. He will now replace Janet Woodcock, MD, acting commissioner of FDA.

Woodcock stepped in as acting FDA commissioner in January 2021 while the Biden administration finalized a nominee for the position. Woodcock replaced Stephen M. Hahn, MD, after he resigned during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Dr. Robert Califf is one of the most experienced clinical trialists in the country, and has the experience and expertise to lead the Food and Drug Administration during a critical time in our nation’s fight to put an end to the coronavirus pandemic,” Biden said in an official statement.

“As the FDA considers many consequential decisions around vaccine approvals and more, it is mission critical that we have a steady, independent hand to guide the FDA,” Biden continued.

If confirmed by the Senate, Califf will also play a vital role in charting the government’s wider pharmaceutical and tobacco policy ambitions, and manage the scrutiny of FDA’s drug approval process.

Califf told CNN in a statement that he is “honored” to be nominated by President Biden at a critical time in the US.

"There's a lot of work to do, and if confirmed I look forward to rejoining the great team at the FDA to help in their inspiring mission to serve the public,” Califf said.